Irritable. Withdrawn. Moody. Exhausted to the bone. These are just a few of the signs you or someone you care about might be suffering from compassion fatigue or secondary or vicarious trauma. It’s a tough, lonely place to be, and because of the way trauma affects the brain, it can be hard for people to

Anyone who is regularly exposed to trauma and suffering is at risk of developing secondary trauma. First responders, humanitarian workers, and ministers are but a few examples of people who regularly bear witness to suffering and trauma and who are, thus, at risk. First Things First: What exactly is trauma? Anything that overwhelms a person’s

Regular exposure to trauma and suffering changes you. It not only changes you, but the people closest to you, too. Over time, as they are trying to understand and help, they, like you, may also begin to struggle with secondary trauma. Not knowing what to do or how to best help you may leave them